UN expert stresses that migrants are human beings with human rights

The United Nations independent expert on the protection of migrants on Thursday stressed that migrants are human beings with human rights.

François Crépeau, Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants,

spoke to reporters as the UN held a High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development.

Mr. Crépeau said migration is "in essence a fundamental human phenomenon" and human rights are key in all discussions on international migration.

He said despite the legal framework put in place to protect them, migrants continue to suffer abuse, exploitation, violence and xenophobia.

”While the topic of this high-level dialogue is Migration and Development, allow me to stress that migrants are human beings with human rights, not simple agents for economic development, remittances and economic outputs. Thus, as stated by all the special procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council, in a document that was issued, I think yesterday or the day before, human rights lie at the heart of all the discussions about migrants." (28")

Mr. Crépeau urged the states around the world to ratify and implement all the international human rights treaties including those specifying migrants' rights.

He cited as examples, the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and their Families and the Convention on Descent Work for Domestic Workers.